School supplies donated to Fortuna Schools

Students at five Fortuna schools are receiving supplies including backpacks, paper, pens, and pencils, generously donated to Eel River Brewery at its recent Back to School Backyard Bash. The event was held Sunday in the Fortuna Brewery's outdoor beer garden.

The sun was shining brightly, music was provided by the local calypso band Steel Standing, there were a tie-dye table, great beer (for those 21 and older), and tasty food.

Community members attended donating more than 20 backpacks, a graphing calculator, several reams of colored paper, binders, folders, rulers, erasers, educational games, over 200 pencils, and more than 200 colored pencils and markers.

Eel River Brewing Company Event Coordinator Nicole Schwartz came up with the idea for the event.

"My inspiration came from the excitement my stepdaughter showed when we gave her a new backpack full of supplies," Schwartz said. "Something as simple as school supplies can give a child the confidence of knowing that someone believes in them," she added, noting also that not all families can afford these items and that school budgets are tighter than ever.

One of the event's popular activities was a tie-dye table where you could bring your own or buy a shirt, choose your colors, and create your own design.